One of the benefits of living in Tamarindo, besides the warm water and beautiful waves, are the awesome women that call this beach town home. Fortunately for us, several of these women are MI OLA team riders. They are in the water every day using and testing our suits. They provide the important feedback to make sure that when you get your MI OLA suit that it stays on! You already have met Kristina and Katia, and this week we sat down with Ashley to pick her brain. Check it out below!
MI OLA: When did you start surfing?
Ashley Mason: I started surfing about a year ago.
MO: What brought you to Costa Rica? How long have you lived here?
AM: It was quite random. I was travelling and wanted to spend part of winter by the beach and this is where I ended up. I have been here now 2 1/2 years.
MO: What is your favorite wave?
AM: When the river mouth in tamarindo is working, it is a longboard dream!
MO: Any tips for chicas that are just starting to surf?
AM: Don’t get discouraged and keep trying. I grew up skiing, snowboarding, wake boarding, dirt biking, you name it, but none of those sports are as difficult to learn as surfing. It has been a very humbling experience learning to surf.
MO: Besides surfing, what else do you do to stay so fit?
AM: Paddle boarding, running and a lot of dog walking!!!
MO: What do you do in your free time?
AM: Cook, read, sew, garden and daydream!
MO: Your two dogs, Maya and Pinto, made cameo appearances in one of our MI OLA photoshoots. Tell us a little more about them!
AM: Maya and Pinto are both Tico dogs that I adopted in Costa Rica. Maya was living on a beach when I found her so she is happiest when she is wet, covered in sand, and begging coconuts from people while I surf. They are part of the Tamarindo “dog gang” and are great surf dogs that go everywhere with me.
MO: What is your favorite thing about your MI OLA suit? Which design(s)/ color(s) do you like best?
AM: My favourite piece is the wrap around mermaid top. It stands out in the line up, looks fun and is comfortable. When I am riding a longboard in it, I feel like I am channeling a little bit of old school glamour. The blue Tira top is so pretty it looks like you can only use it for suntanning. Then we when you start catching waves in it, heads turn!
MO: As an active chica, what are a couple of things that you can’t live without/ don’t leave home without?
AM: The trifecta: My dogs, my sunscreen and my ray bans!
Thanks Ashley!